Banking involves many layers of protection, from your own personal account to your banking institution to national security.

There are many aspects to your relationship with your bank that you many not even think about. This chapter will explain the basics of online banking, how to read your monthly bank statement, how banking institutions must comply with the Patriot Act, how you can protect your own privacy by reading "junk" mail from your bank or credit union, what the FDIC will protect and how you can be sure your bank is on solid financial ground.

What can you expect to learn from this chapter:

Online banking
Doing your banking online is a great convenience. But you've got to do a little work to set it up. We'll show you how -- and dispel concerns about security.

Anatomy of a bank account statement
Don't let your monthly bank statement sit unopened. Here's what to check on the statement and a sample letter you can use when you think there's a mistake.

Patriot Act compliance
After the Sept. 11, 2001, attack in New York, the U.S. government enacted rules with which banks must comply. Here's an explanation of how those affect you.

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